Your body will be constantly changing during pregnancy, which might cause some discomforts. Some discomforts might occur in the early weeks of pregnancy, while others will occur only as you get closer to delivery. Other discomforts might appear early and then go away, only to come back later. This is normal and usually does not mean something is wrong.

Some of the most common discomforts and ways to relieve them are described in this handout. Every woman’s pregnancy is unique, and some of these discomforts might not affect you. Discuss any concerns about your discomforts with your healthcare provider. Please refer to the “Medication Guidelines” section for over-the-counter medications to aid with discomforts of pregnancy.

Abdominal pain or discomfort

Discomfort

Sharp, shooting pains on either side of your stomach might result from the stretching tissue supporting your growing uterus. These pains might also travel down your thigh and into your leg.

Round ligament pain

Discomfort

Most common during the second trimester. Sharp pain in the
abdomen or hip area that is either on one side or both, may extend to the groin area. Round ligament pain is considered a normal part of pregnancy.

Muscle tightening

Discomfort

The muscles in your uterus will contract (tighten) from about the fourth month of pregnancy. Irregular, infrequent
contractions are called Braxton Hicks
contractions.

Recommendations

Try massage.

Make sure you are getting enough fluids.

Change your position or activity until you are comfortable. Avoid sharp turns or movements.

If you have a sudden pain in your abdomen, bend forward
to the point of pain to relieve tension and relax the tissue.

Apply a hot water bottle or heating pad, or take a warm bath or shower.

Rest.

Contact your healthcare provider if the pain is severe or constant, or if you are less than 36 weeks pregnant and you have signs of pre-term labor (listed below).

Signs of pre-term (premature) labor:

More than four to six contractions (tightening of the
muscles in the uterus, which cause discomfort or a
dull ache in the lower abdomen) in an hour

Regular tightening or pain in your back or lower
abdomen

Pressure in the pelvis or vagina

Menstrual-like cramps

Bleeding

Fluid leakage

Flu-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Backaches

Discomfort

Backaches are usually caused by the strain put on the back muscles, changing hormone levels, and changes in your posture.

Recommendations

Wear low-heeled (but not flat) shoes.

Avoid lifting heavy objects.

Squat down with your knees bent when picking things up instead of bending down at the waist.

Don't stand on your feet for long periods. If you need to stand for long periods, place one foot on a stool or box for support.

Sit in a chair with good back support, or place a small pillow behind your lower back. Also place your feet on a footrest or stool.

Sleep on your left or right side with a pillow between your legs for support.

Apply a hot water bottle or heating pad, take a warm bath or shower, or try massage.

Perform exercises, as advised by your healthcare provider, to make your back muscles stronger and help relieve the soreness.

See a physical therapist or participate in a low back and pelvic pain shared medical appointment (SMA). Your provider can refer you.

Maintain good posture. Standing up straight will ease the strain on your back.

Contact your healthcare provider if you have a low backache that goes around your stomach and does not go away within one hour after you change position or rest. This might be a sign of premature labor.

Bleeding and swollen gums

Discomfort

The increase in your volume of circulation and supply of certain hormones might cause tenderness, swelling, and bleeding of gums.

Recommendations

Take proper care of your teeth and gums. Brush and floss regularly.

Get a dental checkup early in your pregnancy to make sure your teeth and mouth are healthy. See your dentist if you have a problem.

Breast changes

Discomfort

Your breasts may increase in size as your milk glands enlarge and the fatty tissue increases. Your breasts are preparing to produce milk for your baby. Bluish veins might also appear as your blood supply in- creases. Your nipples will also darken and a thick fluid called colostrum might leak from your breasts. All of these breast changes are normal.

Recommendations

Wear a supportive bra.

Choose cotton bras or those made from other natural fibers.

Increase your bra size as your breasts become larger. Your bra should fit well without irritating your nipples. Try maternity or nursing bras, which provide more support and can be used after pregnancy.

Tuck a cotton handkerchief or gauze pad into each bra cup to absorb leaking fluid. Nursing pads, which you can buy in a pharmacy, are another option.

Clean your breasts with warm water only. Do not use soap or other products.

Drink plenty of fluids daily (at least 10 to 12 glasses of water and one to two glasses of fruit or prune juice).

Drink warm liquids, especially in the morning.

Exercise daily.

Set a regular time for bowel movements; avoid straining when having a bowel movement.

Difficulty sleeping

Discomfort

Finding a comfortable resting position can become difficult later in pregnancy.

Recommendations

Don't take sleep medication.

Try drinking warm milk at bedtime.

Try taking a warm shower or bath before bedtime.

Use extra pillows for support while sleeping. Lying on your side, place a pillow under your head, abdomen, behind your back, and between your knees to prevent muscle strain and help you get the rest you need. You will probably feel better lying on your left side; this improves circulation of blood throughout your body.

Dizziness

Recommendations

Move around often when standing for long periods of time.

Turn on your side before rising from a lying down position.

Try to move slowly when standing from a sitting position; avoid sudden movements.

Fatigue

Discomfort

Your growing baby requires extra energy, which might make you feel tired. Sometimes, feeling tired might be a sign of anemia (low iron in the blood), which is common during pregnancy.

Recommendations

Get plenty of rest; go to bed early at night, and try taking naps during the day.

Maintain a regular schedule, when possible, but pace your activities. Balance activity with rest when needed.

Exercise daily to increase your energy level.

If you think anemia might be a concern, ask your healthcare provider to test your blood.

Frequent urination

Discomfort

During the first trimester, your growing uterus and growing baby press against your bladder, causing a frequent need to urinate. This will happen again when the baby's head drops into the pelvis before birth.

Recommendations

Avoid tight-fitting underwear, pants, or pantyhose.

Contact your healthcare provider if your urine burns or stings. This can be a sign of a urinary tract infection and should be treated right away.

Headaches

Discomfort

How often headaches occur and how bad they are can vary.

Recommendations

Apply an ice pack to your forehead or the back of your neck.

Rest, sit, or lie quietly in a low-lit room. Close your eyes and try to release the tension in your back, neck, and shoulders.

Contact your healthcare provider if you have nausea with your headaches; if your headache is severe and does not go away; or if you have blurry vision, double vision, or blind spots.

Heartburn or Indigestion

Discomfort

Heartburn (indigestion) is a burning feeling that starts in the stomach and seems to rise to the throat. It occurs during pregnancy because your digestive system works more slowly due to changing hormone levels. Also, your enlarged uterus can crowd your stomach, pushing stomach acids upward.

Recommendations

Eat several small meals each day instead of three large meals.

Eat slowly.

Drink warm liquids such as herbal tea.

Avoid fried, spicy, or rich foods, or any foods that seem to give you indigestion.

Don't lie down directly after eating.

Keep the head of your bed higher than the foot of your bed. Or, place pillows under your shoulders to prevent stomach acids from rising into your chest.

Hemorrhoids

Discomfort

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that appear as painful lumps on the anus. They might form as a result of increased circulation and pressure on the rectum and vagina from your growing baby.

Recommendations

Try to avoid constipation. Constipation can cause hemorrhoids and will make them more painful.

Try to avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time; change your position frequently.

Make an effort not to strain during a bowel movement.

Apply ice packs or cold compresses to the area, or take a warm tub bath a few times a day to provide relief.

Avoid tight-fitting underwear, pants, or pantyhose.

Discuss the use of a hemorrhoid treatment with your healthcare provider.

Elevate your head with an extra pillow while sleeping to prevent mucus from blocking your throat.

Use a humidifier or vaporizer to add moisture to the air.

Nausea or vomiting

Discomfort

Nausea can occur at any time of the day but might be worse in the morning when your stomach is empty (this is often called "morning sickness") or if you are not eating enough.

Nausea is a result of hormonal changes and most often occurs early in pregnancy until your body adjusts to the increased production of hormones.

Recommendations

If nausea is a problem in the morning, eat dry foods like cereal, toast, or crackers before getting out of bed. Try eating a high-protein snack such as lean meat or cheese before going to bed. (Protein takes longer to digest.)

Eat small meals or snacks every two to three hours rather than three large meals. Eat slowly and chew your food completely.

Sip on fluids throughout the day. Avoid large amounts of fluids at one time. Try cool, clear fruit juices, such as apple or grape juice.

Avoid spicy, fried, or greasy foods.

If you are bothered by strong smells, eat foods cold or at room temperature, and avoid odors that bother you.

Contact your healthcare provider if your vomiting is constant or so severe that you can't keep fluids or foods down. This can cause dehydration and should be treated right away.

Shortness of breath

Discomfort

You might feel short of breath when walking up stairs or walking briskly.

Recommendations

Slow down and rest a few moments.

Raise your arms over your head. This lifts your rib cage and allows you to breathe in more air.

Avoid lying flat on your back, and try sleeping with your head elevated.

Stretch marks

Discomfort

Stretch marks are a type of scar tissue that forms when the skin's normal elasticity is not enough for the stretching required during pregnancy. They usually appear on the abdomen and can also appear on the breasts, buttocks, or thighs. While they won't disappear completely, stretch marks will fade after your child's birth. Stretch marks affect the surface under the skin and are usually not preventable.

Recommendations

Be sure that your diet contains enough sources of the nutrients needed for healthy skin (especially vitamins C and E).

Apply lotion to your skin to keep it soft and reduce dryness.

Exercise daily.

Swelling in the feet and legs

Discomfort

Pressure from the growing uterus on the blood vessels carrying blood from the lower body causes fluid retention which results in swelling (edema) in the legs and feet.

This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. For additional written health information, please contact the Health Information Center at the Cleveland Clinic 216.444.3771 or toll-free 800.223.2273 extension 4-3771 or visit www.clevelandclinic.org/health. This document was last reviewed on: 3/10/2016...#5186

Related Institutes & Services

Find the latest information on Women’s Health, including the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques, treatments for infertility, menstrual disorders, urogynecology and pelvic floor disorders, menopause and more.